CVE-2020-13974
kernel: integer overflow in k_ascii() in drivers/tty/vt/keyboard.c
Severity
ModerateRed Hat Product Security
CVSS 3.1
Review impact separately from score.
Published · March 22, 2020
Updated · June 28, 2026
Description
A flaw integer overflow in the Linux kernel's virtual terminal keyboard driver was found in the way the user sends some specific keyboard code multiple times. A local user could use this flaw to crash the system or possibly escalate their privileges on the system.
Statement
No code depends on this integer overflow so it is unlikely that the vulnerability can be used for anything apart from crashing the system. The impact has been reduced to Moderate from Important based on this analysis.
CVSS score applicability
The CVSS score(s) listed for this vulnerability do not reflect the associated product's status, and are included for informational purposes to better understand the severity of this vulnerability.
Mitigation
Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options don't meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
CVSS / CWE
CVSS 3.1 · 7.8CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CWE-190 · Integer Overflow or Wraparound